News & Events
Local all-stars shine during bowl week
Dutch Fork High defensive lineman Terrance Wells had plenty of success running down opposing quarterbacks this season, which is one reason why he was selected to play in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl, one of the South’s oldest high school football all-star games.
However, he was a little surprised how difficult it was to keep up with Lily Davis, one of the 44 deserving students from Myrtle Beach Elementary treated to a Christmas shopping spree at a Target store near her school. She was matched up with a player from each team—Wells and A.J. Ross of Greenwood High—who made sure she could find most of the items on her list—clothes, a jacket, a 500-piece puzzle—and spend the $150 gift card provided by South Carolina’s electric cooperatives.
“The experience was great, even though she is a little active,” says Wells. “She’s faster than some of the quarterbacks I’ve had to chase. I knew it was going to be fun.”
Since he has a younger brother, Gilbert High quarterback Drake Braddock has a little more experience helping kids shop in a store. Isabella Morrow benefitted, scoring some cool shoes and some water bottles.
“I think it’s really important for some of the kids who might not have a big Christmas to be able to come here for this,” says Braddock. “It can not only make their day, but their whole year.”
The shopping spree was part of a full week of experiences for the 88 players participating in the annual game at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium on Dec. 9. The night before the game, the players were given the opportunity to take a tethered ride in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives hot air balloon. They also got to explore careers as lineworkers through hands-on demonstrations presented by a crew from Horry Electric Cooperative.
When he saw Lineman Demo on the bowl week schedule, Airport High offensive lineman and North all-star Dylan Barbrey guessed he would be learning some new blocking skills.
“I’ve never seen anything or done anything like it before,” says Barbrey. “When you look up at the lines all you know is that they are how we get power. I’ve never thought about any more about it. But this was pretty cool.”
Local South all-stars made big plays to help propel their team to a 28-8 win. Irmo High defensive back Isaiah McClary won the team’s defensive MVP award with two interceptions and Dutch Fork defensive lineman Dakota Jordan recovered a fumble and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown.
Other players from Mid-Carolina Electric’s service area playing for the South team included Chapin High kicker Chase Cline, Lexington High linebacker Christian Sexton, Irmo High running back Jaden Allen-Hendrix and Brookland-Cayce High offensive linemen Kamden Sox. North team all-stars included Gray Collegiate’s offensive lineman J.T. Sowell and defensive back Zai Offord and Saluda High running back Kenmane Brunson, who was named a team captain.
